Gunfighting - Part 1

The idea that there are rules when you are fighting for your life, the lives of others or your way of life is as silly as wanting such a fight to be fair. The Olympic games, the boxing ring and the football pitch may be modern day surrogates for conflict, dressed up in civilized rules, traditions and pomp. But you will have failed miserably and are likely to die if you don't amass and embrace every single possible advantage over your opponent in a real fight. And, even when you do, you still have a significant chance of losing. Murphy is alive and well: the most pathetic, unskilled and incompetent low life can get lucky on a two way range. The only gunfight you are guaranteed to win is the one you never get involved with in the first place.

That said, the following list contains much digestible wisdom sprinkled with humor and is worth knowing. Print it out and pin it to your gun safe. Discuss it with your buddies. Talk a new shooter through the finer points. Add to the list. Think about the concepts. Incorporate them into your training.

1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all your friends with guns.

2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is (relatively) cheap.

3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss. But fast misses are just as bad.

4. If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough or using cover correctly.

5. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. Lateral and diagonal movement is preferred.

6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.

7. In ten years time nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance or tactics. They will only remember who lived.

8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading or running.

9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on "pucker factor" that the inherent accuracy of the gun.

10. Use a gun which works EVERY TIME.

11. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.

12. Always cheat, always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

13. Have a plan (however bad).

14. Have a back up plan, because the first one won't work. When not in gunfights, play the "what if" game with yourself and any companions.

15. Use cover or concealment as much as possible. The visible target should be in front of your gun.

16. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.

17. Don't drop your guard.

18. When tactical reloading, always threat scan 360 degrees. No ammo? Use the gun as a rock ad expeditiously depart the contest area.

19. Always tactical reload if there is a lull in the fighting or if it seems to be over.

20. Watch their hands. Hands kill. In God We Trust: everyone else keep your hands where I can see them.

21. Decide to be aggressive enough, quickly enough.

22. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.

23. Be polite, be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

24. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no-one.

25. Your number one option for personal security is a lifetime commitment to avoidance, deterrence and de-escalation.

26. Your number one option for prevailing is to be proficient at Surprise, Speed and Violence of Action.